Tales trip off her tongue in rapid succession, fascinating her listener, who only has to insert a simple ‘why' into the narration for yet another anecdote to be recalled.
The raconteur is a single mother who seems to have seen her share of sorrow and yet she brims with a joie de vivre that is hard to resist. She makes light of some of the darkest years of her life and is convinced, despite all evidence to the contrary, that she will emerge into the sunlight, whole and healed.
At present, she's trying to juggle various jobs to make ends meet. There are loans to be paid off and one day she dreams of being able to afford a place of her own, where she is free to do what she likes, when she likes, without having to consider the conflicting demands of others.
She has held a variety of secure public sector jobs but has had to give up each one to keep the peace at home. She describes her ex-husband as a control freak who laid down the law and expected everyone to submit to his will. He had strict rules for her and the children.
The teenage boys could not go out with friends and when she saw how stifling life was for them, she would encourage them to go out, willing to suffer the consequences as long as her children could enjoy the best years of their lives.
Now that she and her husband have parted ways after 25 years (she is quick to defend herself by quoting the usual reason for staying through an unhappy marriage — ‘I did it for the kids'), she is happy to see that her children are appreciative of all that she has done for them, the sacrifices she has made. She feels truly blessed.
Her stories shift venue and direction as swiftly as a chameleon changing hues. One minute she is recounting her day-to-day struggle and the next she flits to her youth.
It's as if some subjects must not be dwelt on for too long. She speaks of a time when she was beautiful and vivacious, with the world at her feet. Then she meanders into sombre landscape, recalling the stifling of the joy that seemed to be the essence of her being.
Full of energy
It's difficult for the person who is listening to keep pace with her thoughts, the twists and turns of her travails, described so vividly and with a great deal of humour, often directed at herself.
Fascinated by the dramatic unfolding of events in a life which seems to have had its fair share of ups and downs, the audience of one is held spell-bound. By now the listener knows better than to interrupt because each pause spawns a multitude of memories, threatening to divert one's attention from the main story.
And then she inadvertently reveals a telling truth. She inserts advertisements in the paper not so much because she needs the business but for the calls she receives.
It's nice to have people ringing up, she admits, embarrassed by this disclosure. Her need to reach out to others, even strangers, makes one's heart well with pity.
Her gregarious nature shines through this revelation and makes one realise how loneliness can make one feel completely alienated, cut off from the human contact that one craves for.
There is yet another startling disclosure. Obviously, she is a woman of many parts. She is also a part-time DJ. This makes complete sense. It seems to be the perfect choice for someone like her. She finds happiness in connecting with an audience.
As the revelations flow thick and fast I wonder how much more I have to learn about her when I have known her for just a week!
